combust
Americanverb (used with or without object)
adjective
verb
Etymology
Origin of combust
1325–75; Middle English < Latin combūstus (past participle of combūrere to burn up, equivalent to com- com- + -ūs- variant stem of ūrere to burn + -tus past participle suffix; -b- by misanalysis of ambūrere, another derivative, as am- + -būrere )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But they have downsides—costly materials, a China-dominated supply chain that concerns Western governments and a tendency to combust if you’re not careful.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 11, 2025
A golf pro can have an immaculate swing on the range, then go out and combust in a tournament.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2025
The devices contain lithium-ion batteries which, when damaged, can spontaneously combust.
From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2025
"Modern landfill facilities already capture, upgrade and combust their gas emissions for electricity generation, however, our process creates a much more environmentally impactful and commercially valuable product," he said.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 30, 2024
Two cops enter the waiting room just as I’m about to spontaneously combust.
From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
